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Hortensis

(58,785 posts)

126. Yes. This and Eliot's explanation are why SS has always

Sat Mar 25, 2017, 04:25 PM

Mar 2017

been something everyone pays into and everyone collects from.

That and the harsh fact that those who don't expect to need it tend to vote and to donate. Keeping them viewing these programs as for all Americans is critical to their continuation.

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Lindsey Graham just earned my respect. [View all] shockey80 Mar 2017 OP

Wrong, though. Good intention probably on his part, but still wrong. Eliot Rosewater Mar 2017 #1

Exactly. Everbody pays in - everybody receives benefits.... Talk Is Cheap Mar 2017 #2

if the OP oldtime dfl_er Mar 2017 #3

There was a comment recently that Whiny Donny reversed his decision on not collecting salary question everything Mar 2017 #8

Which means we not only pay his $400k salary - we also pay for his $125k deduction. Hassin Bin Sober Mar 2017 #22

I'll believe that when I see a notarized statement from a non-trump related charity. Salviati Mar 2017 #24

What is the charity? The Trump Foundation? FuzzyRabbit Mar 2017 #70

He's big on the charity BS. Had to be FORCED to give that 6 million $$$ to veterens... Bengus81 Mar 2017 #80

the charity was only for one month salary and then he said sime shit about the media JI7 Mar 2017 #129

I actually think not taking the salary would be a terrible idea, for this reason: NYC Liberal Mar 2017 #130

He basically has to accept a salary whistler162 Mar 2017 #150

Well, yes, but he could donate all of it. NYC Liberal Mar 2017 #157

Trump give away whistler162 Mar 2017 #159

He was never going to GWC58 Mar 2017 #139

Let's not forget the 13 cent check Donnie got punked with SticksnStones Mar 2017 #37

Lets remember the time Donald Trump cashed a 13 check sent to him as a prank Stonepounder Mar 2017 #44

But his next sentence was: pnwmom Mar 2017 #94

Yes. This and Eliot's explanation are why SS has always Hortensis Mar 2017 #126

The cap is embarrassingly too low yeoman6987 Mar 2017 #5

That is what needs to be done. RAISE THE CAP. Don't change the benefits of Social Security still_one Mar 2017 #34

Raising the cap doesn't go far enough meow2u3 Mar 2017 #108

Sure, don't have any CAP, I'll go for that, just don't take away the benefits still_one Mar 2017 #111

Medicare is paid with a separate tax and there's no limit on it. tammywammy Mar 2017 #138

I happened to have just looked that up marybourg Mar 2017 #40

Thank you. Higher then I thought. yeoman6987 Mar 2017 #41

Raising the cap is such an obvious solution 90-percent Mar 2017 #9

and I really wish Democrats in Congress would focus more on that. still_one Mar 2017 #35

In 2009-2010, it would have been perfect time. yeoman6987 Mar 2017 #43

I wholeheartedly agree with you still_one Mar 2017 #58

I figure that Limbaugh is finished paying into SS in about 2.5 hours.... Bengus81 Mar 2017 #90

simple, obvious mopinko Mar 2017 #125

The argument against raising the cap is that the wealthy would never have a chance stopbush Mar 2017 #10

You pay into insurance everyday where the odds are likely you wont get it back Eliot Rosewater Mar 2017 #13

Yes. That was my point. stopbush Mar 2017 #16

My mom waited until 65 to draw SS......... Bengus81 Mar 2017 #97

Which is why I favor levying sales taxes to pay for single payer. Yavin4 Mar 2017 #21

Sales taxes screw low income people. The less you make the more regressive they are. mobeau69 Mar 2017 #53

That is why we exempt food in MI. roamer65 Mar 2017 #54

Yep, an admission that they're unfair. mobeau69 Mar 2017 #77

In order to build long term support for a government program, everyone needs to pay into it Yavin4 Mar 2017 #116

Easily structured to make more "progressive." The trick is... pat_k Mar 2017 #75

What? We shouldn't use sales taxes for anything. Income and wealth taxes are much better. sharedvalues Mar 2017 #155

Precisely. Yavin4 Mar 2017 #161

Kansas is the best example of that I'll bet anyone can find... Bengus81 Mar 2017 #101

Sales taxes with exemptions for necessities like food, energy, education, healthcare. Yavin4 Mar 2017 #114

SALES taxes? The rich love sales taxes because sales taxes tax the poor. sharedvalues Mar 2017 #154

A sales tax on non-essential goods. Yavin4 Mar 2017 #160

So you need a progressive tax still, just one that everyone pays. sharedvalues Mar 2017 #162

+1 grantcart Mar 2017 #49

Not "good intentions." "Means testing" has LONG been pat_k Mar 2017 #68

You are so right wryter2000 Mar 2017 #74

thank you thank you mopinko Mar 2017 #118

This message was self-deleted by its author Honeycombe8 Mar 2017 #120

The only reason Republicans don't dismantle social security is because people know what it is and JCanete Mar 2017 #163

shockey, thank you saidsimplesimon Mar 2017 #4

I used to think oldtime dfl_er Mar 2017 #7

And I liked it, last year, when Chrisite called for means testing payments of SS question everything Mar 2017 #6

"means testing" is step 1 of the kill SS agenda. pat_k Mar 2017 #79

This is one thing I can't understand... LakeArenal Mar 2017 #11

Graham has shown a willingness lapucelle Mar 2017 #32

On military benefits, of course. SMC22307 Mar 2017 #112

Two statements. See response #48. nt LAS14 Mar 2017 #50

Rosewater. shockey80 Mar 2017 #12

You've proven Rosewater's point eleny Mar 2017 #19

You're not understanding human nature. SMC22307 Mar 2017 #93

Social Security is not a "risk based" insurance like auto, home etc. ToxMarz Mar 2017 #119

Good to hear shenmue Mar 2017 #14

Be careful. Big Blue Marble Mar 2017 #23

Exactly. And anyone who trusts smarmy Lindsey Graham... SMC22307 Mar 2017 #63

SS is actually one of the components of Federal retirement plans. Beartracks Mar 2017 #15

The one that slipped your mind is a pension. charlyvi Mar 2017 #51

Ah, thanks. Is the Thrift plan... Beartracks Mar 2017 #64

Yes. We can invest it in the usual ways charlyvi Mar 2017 #99

I don't have respect for him. He also said the retirement age should be increased. LiberalFighter Mar 2017 #17

Rosewater just proved my point about greed in america. shockey80 Mar 2017 #18

Rosewater, I just reread your post. shockey80 Mar 2017 #20

NO!!!. It is an annuity/insurance program that you have been paying into, and you are ENTITLED still_one Mar 2017 #25

It's called social security insurance. shockey80 Mar 2017 #26

I assume you are directing that to me. Doesn't matter. People have paid into the insurance policy, still_one Mar 2017 #27

NO, IT IS NOT. Social Security DISABILITY is insurance. Regular Social Security is NOT. n/t pnwmom Mar 2017 #60

Yeah, and it's called "169 posts." WinkyDink Mar 2017 #148

If i was rich. shockey80 Mar 2017 #28

That isn't the point. Social Security is a contract that people have paid into, and they are still_one Mar 2017 #30

Still one shockey80 Mar 2017 #29

Obviously you do not understand social security or annuities. Social security is SOCIAL INSURANCE still_one Mar 2017 #33

A broken clock is right twice a day. n/t GoCubsGo Mar 2017 #31

still one shockey80 Mar 2017 #36

No you don't get it. You also don't get how to reply to someone in a thread still_one Mar 2017 #42

SS has ways to rip off people. for example a person who pays SS taxes on work for 30 yrs msongs Mar 2017 #38

That's news to me. Got a link for that? SunSeeker Mar 2017 #52

You are right sun. An exception is if you have a higher income 85% of SS income is taxable still_one Mar 2017 #62

Saying your SS check is taxable like any other income is very different. SunSeeker Mar 2017 #66

I provided a link. Just to be clear if someone falls into that category up to 85% of the income still_one Mar 2017 #73

I am fine with being subject to income tax. nt SunSeeker Mar 2017 #82

I think this is what the poster is referring to for someone who has worked 30 years, and then gets still_one Mar 2017 #92

Being subject to income tax is very different from having your SS check "taken away." SunSeeker Mar 2017 #105

You are right still_one Mar 2017 #107

The problem is it is only income that as little as 25K. Big Blue Marble Mar 2017 #141

But only that portion of income above 25k is taxed, and at the lowest bracket, 15%. SunSeeker Mar 2017 #142

It is shrinking your benefit. Big Blue Marble Mar 2017 #146

Correct SunSeeker airplaneman Mar 2017 #71

As I told Sun if you make over a certain income in retirement, up to 85% of your Social Security still_one Mar 2017 #76

I see your point airplaneman Mar 2017 #89

Ditto Sun. OldHippieChick Mar 2017 #103

It happens to Colorado State employees eleny Mar 2017 #134

Is this what you are referring msongs still_one Mar 2017 #81

That's not true - both my wife and I are collecting SS benefits AND we each have.. George II Mar 2017 #136

Where were you in the crowd? mercuryblues Mar 2017 #39

You'll find a reason to lose your respect jeanmarc Mar 2017 #45

NO NO NO! Social Security should not be means tested and turned into a welfare program! SunSeeker Mar 2017 #46

He has several very appealing positions on the issues, now if he could only work on... George II Mar 2017 #47

I just came to my laptop to make a similar post. LAS14 Mar 2017 #48

I disagree about not collecting anything. It's insurance, no different from car insurance Warpy Mar 2017 #55

"Means testing" is intended to kill it pat_k Mar 2017 #56

Preach it! I have to laugh... SMC22307 Mar 2017 #123

God help us indeed! You might want to... pat_k Mar 2017 #127

Done! SMC22307 Mar 2017 #128

Agreed!!!! LovingA2andMI Mar 2017 #57

NOOOOOOOOOO! Social Security IS a retirement account that everyone pays into. pnwmom Mar 2017 #59

Yes (to the "Nooooo") pat_k Mar 2017 #65

From the SSA website Kaleva Mar 2017 #67

That doesn't matter. It is NOT insurance in the technical use of the term. It's a retirement program pnwmom Mar 2017 #72

An excerpt from FDR's speech Kaleva Mar 2017 #78

So? The modern insurance industry didn't even exist then -- so his use of the term has nothing pnwmom Mar 2017 #85

Insurance companies have been around for several hundred years Kaleva Mar 2017 #122

it's more of an annuity. mopinko Mar 2017 #115

I agree that the disability part is insurance. But regular Social Security is an earned pension. n/t pnwmom Mar 2017 #117

i'm mostly saying that to compare what you get from ss, vs what mopinko Mar 2017 #124

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ still_one Mar 2017 #102

I think the cap out to be removed and those earning above a certain amount have their benefits taxed Kaleva Mar 2017 #61

Lindsey Graham is a complicated figure.... TwistedTinkerbelle Mar 2017 #69

This isn't a noble idea. It's as way to reduce support for Social Security -- by changing it to pnwmom Mar 2017 #87

you nailed it pnwmom. still_one Mar 2017 #96

How about you read what I wrote. TwistedTinkerbelle Mar 2017 #143

The OP to which you responded was about Social Security, and you didn't address it. n/t pnwmom Mar 2017 #144

No RandySF Mar 2017 #83

We need everyone to collect or it is will accurately be labeled an entitlement. ALBliberal Mar 2017 #84

Even worse. It will be considered WELFARE. n/t pnwmom Mar 2017 #88

It is an entitlement ALB. Entitlement means YOU are ENTITLED to receive certain benefits. That still_one Mar 2017 #95

YES. It isn't charity and was never intended to be. nt pnwmom Mar 2017 #98

The media is also notorious to distort the meaning of entitlement also. still_one Mar 2017 #100

Charity can also be an entitlement exboyfil Mar 2017 #121

True...but our side should not use the word since it fits with their meme....nt ALBliberal Mar 2017 #106

Perhaps, or take the time and explain the actual meaning still_one Mar 2017 #109

Lindsey Graham was a prosecuted Bill Clinton in the Senate after he was impeached. RandySF Mar 2017 #86

I agreed with some of what he said, but... worstexever Mar 2017 #91

I'll believe it when he actually votes to do so meow2u3 Mar 2017 #104

The reason we still have social security and Medicare is because everybody is covered. yardwork Mar 2017 #110

EXACTLY. Turn it into welfare and its support will plummet. n/t pnwmom Mar 2017 #113

Third Way supports Social Security-destroying means testing... SMC22307 Mar 2017 #131

Disagree! If someone pays in they should collect. mountain grammy Mar 2017 #132

No. Graham has been trying to means test and cut SS for years. This is buying into his propaganda suffragette Mar 2017 #133

I absolutely disagree...when you means test this you begin the death process. nt Demsrule86 Mar 2017 #135

fuck him. eom spanone Mar 2017 #137

Means testing Social Security is a major step in killing it. n/t tammywammy Mar 2017 #140

I need to clarify my original post. shockey80 Mar 2017 #145

It even sounds good they would have a "choice" where the rich Eliot Rosewater Mar 2017 #165

You are wrong, and so is he. It is NOT INSURANCE. But hey---If you want to trust a REPUBLICAN,..... WinkyDink Mar 2017 #147

So we don't pay into a central pool of funds whistler162 Mar 2017 #152

Bullshit, SS is not a handout. If someone is expected to pay more then their benefits should...... USALiberal Mar 2017 #149

This message was self-deleted by its author sharedvalues Mar 2017 #153

Terrible idea, do that and it becomes a welfare program. NutmegYankee Mar 2017 #151

He's full of disingenous shit. 50 Shades Of Blue Mar 2017 #156

Wake up. Means testing turns it into welfare program which will get cut and destroyed nt lostnfound Mar 2017 #158

A Rethug will never earn my respect. clementine613 Mar 2017 #164